Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Job ID: 29958

Agency: Human Services

Location: Yankton, SD

Salary: $24.96-$27.22 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: H

Closing Date: 01/31/2025

About DHS

The South Dakota Department of Human Services encompasses a broad field dedicated to offering services that support older adults and individuals with disabilities. Our programs promote independence and inclusion through person-centered services. DHS comes together with the common goal of bettering the lives of South Dakotans.

DHS strives to create an environment where people are inspired and challenged to create excellence, grow their skills, discover advancement opportunities, and are rewarded for their contributions. Join our team as we focus on helping our fellow human beings overcome adversity and reach their full potential.

Our Benefits Include

• 15 days/120 Hours of Vacation Leave
• 14 days/112 Hours of Sick Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Employee health insurance includes plan with a $0 premium for employee-only coverage
• Flexible Benefits – Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Critical Illness and more
• Paid Parental & Family Medical Leave
• 6% Fully Matched Retirement Plan
• Reduced Tuition for In-State Colleges/Universities
• Employee Wellness Program
• Continued Education/Training Opportunities
  
  

Click to view additional benefits information: https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/index.html

Job Summary

Are you passionate about empowering individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their career goals? As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, you will play a vital role in supporting individuals with disabilities in their journey toward meaningful and sustainable employment. This rewarding position combines professional expertise with compassionate service to make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.

A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor provides services to individuals with disabilities who need assistance to obtain or maintain employment. Key job functions consist of making eligibility decisions, developing employment plans, approving services, and providing vocational rehabilitation counseling. Travel will be required to deliver services in the assigned territory. This position is typically 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday.

Certifications, Educations, & Licensing

• The candidate must have at a minimum a baccalaureate degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation or human service field of people.
  
  

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• The ideal candidate has experience in working with individuals with disabilities.
  
  

Knowledge Of

• social, economic, vocational, physical, and emotional issues impacting persons with disabilities;
• counseling theories and techniques useful in facilitating the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities;
• alternative modes of communication for individuals who are deaf, blind, or have cognitive disabilities;
• individual appraisal instruments and their applications;
• technology, including assistive technology, and accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment and independent living settings;
• use of labor market information, the job seeking process and personnel practices that lead to obtaining employment.
  
  

Skills To

• Prepare clear, informative reports;
• Effectively communicate with people with disabilities;
• Manage a full caseload of clients in an independent and timely manner; and
• Work effectively with businesses, service providers, and clients.
  
  

Ability To

• understand and interpret medical, psychological, and vocational reports for the purpose of determining eligibility and formulating vocational objectives;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, family members, and various professionals and specialty organizations involved in the rehabilitation process;
• analyze and integrate occupational and labor market data in a given geographical area;
• read and interpret laws, rules, and regulations affecting individuals with disabilities, and apply them to specific situations;
• develop, organize, and maintain a referral network used to provide individuals with disabilities appropriate services and other resources;
• prepare and deliver clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations;
• effectively manage a full caseload of consumers in an independent, orderly, and timely manner.
  
  

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=Y9

You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources

Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"